Durable, lifelike dentures are an excellent way to replace missing and severely damaged teeth. However, if you need to have tooth extractions before your smile is ready for your new prosthetics, you may be wondering how long you’ll need to wait for your mouth to heal before you can begin wearing them. Here’s a closer look at why this pause is so important, and when you can expect to get your stunning new smile!
Why Wait? The Importance of Delaying Dentures
Extracting damaged teeth can create many changes in your mouth. In addition to those empty spaces along the arches, it can make your gums swell, temporarily altering their shape. While this is normal and no cause for concern, it can make crafting restorations like dentures a challenge. That’s because for them to fit securely, they must be designed for your individual mouth, and unfortunately, when it’s swollen, your impressions won’t be an accurate representation of your mouth when it’s not. Thus, you’ll need to wait until they’ve returned to their normal size before proceeding. In most cases this takes between several weeks to a few months, depending on how fast you heal.
What Happens Next?
Once your mouth has healed sufficiently, your dentist will have you return to have your impressions taken and send them to the dental laboratory where your dentures will be fabricated. This process typically takes between two and four weeks for traditional dentures. Then, once they arrive at your dentist’s office, you’ll return for a fitting. If they aren’t perfectly comfortable on this visit, don’t be disheartened. It is very common for your restorations to need adjustments at this stage, and while it’s certainly understandable that you’d want your new teeth as soon as possible, it’s also very important that they fit comfortably and correctly. Otherwise, they can be extremely difficult to use and could even result in painful denture sores and jawbone damage!
The Home Stretch
After your dentures have been adjusted to match the changes in your mouth, you’ll receive the final restorations. At this stage, your gums and jaw should be healed, and wearing prosthetics should be much more comfortable and easier to master. Using dentures requires a learning curve, even for people who have had them before, as each new pair will naturally feel a little different. The most important thing you can do during this process is to be honest with your dentist so that your restorations feel as comfortable as possible. It is far easier and less expensive to adjust them during the creation process than it will be to come back later after you’ve been using them for months.
Remember, while it is certainly understandable to want to start wearing your new dentures as soon as possible, the healing period after tooth extraction is an extremely important stage. Thus, be sure to allow your mouth adequate time to recover, so your new restorations will look and feel their best for years to come!
About Dr. Anderson
Dr. Karl Anderson earned his undergraduate degree at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and his dental degree at the University of Minnesota. He is pleased to help restore your smile with the help of durable, lifelike dentures. To schedule a consultation for these life-changing prosthetics at Anderson Dental, visit our website or call us today at 605-721-1219.